Earthquakes

What Causes Earthquakes?

1. There is at least 1 earthquake each day in New Zealand.

2. In 1855 the was a big earthquake at Wairarapa which was the biggest in New Zealand in 200 years and the ground shook 140 km from where it was.

3. Earthquakes are measured by a seismograph that measures the shaking.

4. Magnitude is the term used to measure earthquakes, for example the earthquake at Wairarapa was 8.2 magnitude.

5. Most earthquakes in New Zealand are too small to feel but 150-200 each year can be felt.

6. Earthquakes happen when two Tectonic Plates meet and try to force through each other.

7. New Zealand is on the Australian Plate and the Pacific Plate.

8. The frequency of large earthquakes have been measured since European Settlers arrived.

I got my information from this link: What causes Earthquakes?

By Karl.